Tell Me About Fircrest (Tacoma, University Place: housing, vacation, schools)

[ness]

Someone mentioned Fircrest on another thread. What's Fircrest like? I'd love to hear about atmosphere, crime rates, housing, and political bent. Pictures, anyone?

[Vagus]

Originally Posted by ness

Someone mentioned Fircrest on another thread. What's Fircrest like? I'd love to hear about atmosphere, crime rates, housing, and political bent. Pictures, anyone?

Fircrest is a small town sandwiched between south-central Tacoma and northeast University Place (UP). Like UP, it is sort of a "residental suburb" of Tacoma, although it's pretty much impossible to tell where one starts and the other ends. It's got maybe 5000 people and I'm not even sure how many independent city services (police, fire, schools etc) it has vs. using those of Tacoma or UP. It's basically a residential area, nicer than adjoining parts of Tacoma, not as nice as adjoining parts of UP. Not much crime I don't think. Politically, well, it's so small and intertwined with the surrounding towns it's kind of hard to say whether it has it's own political identity or not. My gut feeling is that it's probably fairly conservative. LIke the rest of the area, housing will be expensive for what you get.

[cobolt]

I agree with Vagus. Fircrest is mostly residential, little crime, nice walking areas and very nice, cute, well-cared for and VERY expensive homes. There are a few shops on the main drag (Regents Blvd) and a little coffee shop and mom and pop joint, but the bulk of your shopping would be done in UP, although the Fred Meyer's is right up the street and Trader Joes not too far away. It is a lovely area and I wouldn't mind living there if I could afford it.

[ness]

Originally Posted by cobolt

I agree with Vagus. Fircrest is mostly residential, little crime, nice walking areas and very nice, cute, well-cared for and VERY expensive homes. There are a few shops on the main drag (Regents Blvd) and a little coffee shop and mom and pop joint, but the bulk of your shopping would be done in UP, although the Fred Meyer's is right up the street and Trader Joes not too far away. It is a lovely area and I wouldn't mind living there if I could afford it.

We would be looking in the $300,000 to $380,000 range for a house. Is that realistic in the area for a 3 Bed, 2 Bath?

[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by ness

We would be looking in the $300,000 to $380,000 range for a house. Is that realistic in the area for a 3 Bed, 2 Bath?

I just took a quick look at the MLS and found over 30 houses in that price range in Fircrest. From the thumbs, some of them looked pretty nice.

--'rocco

[ness]

Originally Posted by scirocco22

I just took a quick look at the MLS and found over 30 houses in that price range in Fircrest. From the thumbs, some of them looked pretty nice.

--'rocco

thanks rocco

[WeLoveFircrestWA]

Originally Posted by ness

Someone mentioned Fircrest on another thread. What's Fircrest like? I'd love to hear about atmosphere, crime rates, housing, and political bent. Pictures, anyone?

I am a big shameless Fircrest lover!!! For all the bad things you can say about many parts of Tacoma there are 5 fabulous things about this little town.

I am a stay-at-home mom and we have two preschoolers. I grew up in a small town and adore raising my kids here.

Here are a few things we like about life here:
*Tight-knit small, proud community
*Low crime, great police (don't speed through town)
*you can call city hall to arrange "vacation patrol". The police will come do a personalized drive by your home while you are away!
*Every year the Fire Truck drives by at Christmas with the Firefighters dressed up like Santa and they wave and sound the sirens! IT is so fun for kids
*They still throw out candy at the parades!
*Regents Blvd and other main streets are lined with American Flags and hanging Geranium baskets which residents sponsor the payment of.
*Clean and cute but high taxes
*Where we live (not all of Fircrest) we have the advantage of UP schools (best public schools around here)
*Awesome parks and recreation department. People will call the cops on you for throwing down a cigarette butt / trash or they will ask you to pick it up or do it themselves. A real sense of pride here.

We live in a TOWNHOUSE DUPLEX and it is new construction in a good development. The homes like ours are going for about $300K right now but there is a super cute 3 bedroom 2 bath across the street for $260K. So, the drawbacks are that it IS an expensive area. Pretty much like UP. There are older homes here and not as much new construction (except a few here and there and then a couple developments like ours).

Anyway, where are you looking to relocate from? I am so happy for you to be considering this area!

Molly

[WeLoveFircrestWA]

Originally Posted by ness

Someone mentioned Fircrest on another thread. What's Fircrest like? I'd love to hear about atmosphere, crime rates, housing, and political bent. Pictures, anyone?

Oh yeah! I almost forgot to tell you about politics here...it is probably pretty conservative and we are getting ready to elect city council members right now. We have a mayor who also owns a really neat Italian Deli on Regents, the main drag.

I will post some pictures soon!

[ness]

Originally Posted by WeLoveFircrestWA

Oh yeah! I almost forgot to tell you about politics here...it is probably pretty conservative and we are getting ready to elect city council members right now. We have a mayor who also owns a really neat Italian Deli on Regents, the main drag.

I will post some pictures soon!

Thanks so much for all the info Molly. Can't wait for the weekend!